Olanzapine Side Effects (Top 10)

Olanzapine Uses

Olanzapine is a medical drug which is classified under the atypical antipsychotic medication and is used for the treatment of bipolar and schizophrenia disorder which is collectively described as mental conditions. Aside from that, it can be used to treat persons who are depressed or is suffering from dementia which is related to Alzheimer’s disease. Its mechanism of action is to aid in the restoration of the natural chemical balance in the person’s brain or otherwise known as neurotransmitters.

Olanzapine Advantages

Persons who are taking in Olanzapine are reported to feel the following advantages:

• Better concentration
• Less nervous
• Reduce hallucination episodes

Olanzapine Side Effects

Olanzapine has a range of side effects. Due to these ranges, some of the persons taking in Olanzapine may stop taking it due to the side effects associated in this medication. The following are the common side effects:

Extrapyramidal reaction

One Olanzapine side effects include Extrapyramidal reaction. In general, all antipsychotic drugs have this side effect. Under this side effect includes dyskinesia or involuntary movements of either the face or body, tardive dyskinesia or an uncontrollable muscular movement which can be permanent, akathisia or unable to sit still, and dystonia or unusual body parts twisting.

Gaining of weight

One of the Olanzapine side effects is that the person gains weight. A big percent of Olanzapine takers are either fall into the category obese or overweight.

Hyperlipidemia

Olanzapine side effects include Hyperlipidemia or increase in bad cholesterol in the blood level. Recent study says that the intake Olanzapine can lead to an increase of triglyceride and cholesterol level. This usually happens after the long term treatment.

Cataract

Another part of the Olanzapine side effects is cataract. Persons taking in Olanzapine are at high risk of having lens opacities and have visual disturbances and changes as well as cataract disorder. Persons, who are taking in long term Olanzapine, need to have their periodic ocular exams.

Sexual side effects

These are common Olanzapine side effects which are sexual side effects. These are brought about by the blockage of D2 receptors in the pituitary lactotroph cells leading to the excess secretion of prolactin. Persons who take in Olanzapine have low libido or sexual interest on the opposite sex.

Myocarditis

According to studies, the intake of Olanzapine may increase the risk of the person to experience Myocarditis or inflammation of the heart’s myocardium. Hence, signs and symptoms in Myocarditis, one of the Olanzapine side effects, need to be keenly assessed.

Diabetes mellitus

Persons taking in a long term Olanzapine medication are also at high risk for diabetes mellitus, which is one of the Olanzapine side effects. This medical condition is associated with gaining of weight. According to the evidence gathered in clinical studies, the common type of diabetes mellitus appearing in Olanzapine patients are diabetic ketoacidosis and type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Photosensitivity

It means that the person is sensitive to sunlight when taking in Olanzapine. Hence, there is a need for sun protection every time one goes under the sun.

Prolongation of the interval of QTc

This is seen in the electrocardiogram which leads to the development of ventricular arrhythmia and torsade de pointes. This may lead to fatal heart disorders leading to syncope, ventricular fibrillation or sudden death if not given the proper medical attention and treatment.

Insulin sensitivity

Olanzapine takers are at high risk for insulin sensitivity which is a medical condition wherein the natural hormone insulin leads to the lesser effective in the lowering the blood sugar.

Hyperglycemia

Hyperglycemia is a medical condition wherein there is high blood sugar level wherein there is an excessive glucose amount circulating in the blood plasma. There is an actually an above the normal glucose level when one has hyperglycemia. This is another risk for person taking Olanzapine.

Other side effects are:

• Tremors
• Muscular spasm
• Rigidity
• Restlessness